SETON YOUTH SHELTERS AWARDS $2,500 SCHOLARSHIP TO LOCAL TEEN

SETON YOUTH SHELTERS AWARDS $2,500 SCHOLARSHIP TO LOCAL TEEN

 

Virginia Beach, Virginia— Since 2007, Seton Youth Shelters has awarded the Donna Rowe Memorial Scholarships to many deserving Hampton Roads teens, who have benefitted from the organizations’ Shelters, Youth Outreach, or Mentoring Programs, to assist furthering their education for a better life. After her untimely death and illness, the TowneBank Foundation began underwritting this annual Seton Youth Shelters’ scholarship in her honor. One of Donna Rowe’s beliefs was to “do the right thing.” All of the scholarship applicants must submit an essay on what “do the right thing” means to them now, and in the future.

 

This year’s recipient is Grey Anderson. Grey is a very active teen in his community and now alma mater, First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. He was a member of the Chess Club, Robotics Club, and Philosophy Club and volunteered at children’s summer camps and the Food Bank. Throughout his past experiences with homelessness and foster care, Grey found the strength to focus on his future and stated, “…I can do anything that I set my mind and body toward doing…”  Under his circumstances, he tells us, “I fell deeply behind on my school work and my grades suffered because of it,” until Street Outreach Program Director, David Mount, and his staff enabled him to do the right thing. Grey entered the Seton Youth Shelters’ Crossroads Residence to finish his studies.  He expresses that, “With the help I received and encouragement, I was able to complete all of my makeup work, including a massive project.” On June 18th, 2015 at 8 pm, Grey celebrated his high school graduation at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, accompanied by the Street Outreach staff.  In his scholarship essay, Grey explains, “My past defines who I am and who I strive to be. I can honestly say that doing the right thing has not always been the simplest task, but doing it always is how I have gotten this far, and I don’t intend to give up anytime soon.” Grey will begin his studies at Old Dominion University this fall, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics or Computer Science.

 

In 2015, Seton Youth Shelters marks 30 years as the region’s only organization devoted exclusively to providing shelter, counseling and outreach services to youth 9-17. Seton Youth Shelters provides prevention, intervention, shelter and counseling to youth 9-17 in crisis and their families—24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at no charge to the child or their family. In 2014, Seton Youth Shelters reached nearly 27,000 youth in the Hampton Roads. For more information about Seton Youth Shelters or ways to donate, please visit www.setonyouthservices.org and like us on Facebook (Search: Seton Youth Shelters). For any questions or for more information on how to donate to Grey’s Laptop Fund please call Public Relations and Donor Associate, Karlaa Williams at 757.963.5795 ext. 103 or email at kwilliams@setonyouthshelters.org.